Alexander Saint-Paull (20th century)
Alexander Saint-Paull (20th century)
Portrait of Miss Elizabeth Hanley, three-quarter length seated, in a green dress
signed 'Saint-Paull' l.l., oil on canvas
90.5 x 70.5cm
Elizabeth Hanley, also known as Betty, was a socialite and lived a life touched by the glamour of high society. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, throughout her childhood she lived in many different countries including Germany, Austria, Italy and Spain. In the late 1940s, she moved to the UK and stayed as a paying guest with the former Empress of Austria in Kensington. She later moved into her own house where, in the words of the vendor, she hosted ‘the great and the good of all ages, the only requirement being that you must have a title’.
The artist Saint-Paull painted many well-known stars of the day including Rita Hayworth and even Lord Mountbatten. Betty’s life also crossed paths with the royal family, she held a Royal Warrant for lighting from 1978, which was sold from her shop in Elizabeth Street. Above the shop lived Anthony Armstrong Jones, the future husband of Princess Margaret.
Later in life, Betty sold the emeralds worn in this portrait to help pay for the restoration of The Ring at Audley End. This portrait was displayed in the dining rooms of many of her friends including Lord Braybrooke, Lord Parmoor, Sir Henry Marking and the Sainsbury family.
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Time, Location
Auction House
Alexander Saint-Paull (20th century)
Portrait of Miss Elizabeth Hanley, three-quarter length seated, in a green dress
signed 'Saint-Paull' l.l., oil on canvas
90.5 x 70.5cm
Elizabeth Hanley, also known as Betty, was a socialite and lived a life touched by the glamour of high society. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, throughout her childhood she lived in many different countries including Germany, Austria, Italy and Spain. In the late 1940s, she moved to the UK and stayed as a paying guest with the former Empress of Austria in Kensington. She later moved into her own house where, in the words of the vendor, she hosted ‘the great and the good of all ages, the only requirement being that you must have a title’.
The artist Saint-Paull painted many well-known stars of the day including Rita Hayworth and even Lord Mountbatten. Betty’s life also crossed paths with the royal family, she held a Royal Warrant for lighting from 1978, which was sold from her shop in Elizabeth Street. Above the shop lived Anthony Armstrong Jones, the future husband of Princess Margaret.
Later in life, Betty sold the emeralds worn in this portrait to help pay for the restoration of The Ring at Audley End. This portrait was displayed in the dining rooms of many of her friends including Lord Braybrooke, Lord Parmoor, Sir Henry Marking and the Sainsbury family.
